The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-11-10
FLESH TURNED INTO STONE
Remarkable stories OF Fertilization
Occurring IN tho Bad Lands OF Da-

Occurring In tho Bad Lands of Da-
kotn.
A Rapid City correspondent of The
Mit,0dukee journal writes: Dakota js
truly marvellous and wonderful
country. Not only wonderful in min
eral and agricultural resources, but it
abounds in geological formations that
afford constant surprise and study for
the student in this most interesting
science. The Bad Lands. located
seventy miles southeast of this point,
have no equal on this continent as a re-
ceptacle for petrlfactions OF amphib.
ious animals. The popularity of the
soil transforms flesh into stone, but
this power is not only confined to the
soil of the Bad Lands. but exists in
many localities in the Black Hills. A
case has just come to the knowledge
of your correspondent that has never
been made public, and proves that
many more bodies buried in the Hills
have turned to stone. The case at
hand is that of Il little son of Mr.. Eu-
gene Holcomb, prominent citizen OF
Rapid City. Some years ago the boy
died and was buried in spot not set
aside for general burying purposes.
When the city grew and cemetery
was selected Mr.. Holcomb had large
monument erected. and the departed
disintered. The family expected when
the shovel of the grave-digger reached
the casket it would need replacing
aud had made preparations to that end.
The coffin was reached. and rs the man
endeavored to place rope underneath
to hoist it to the surface. he was sur
prised at its great weight. Thinking
IL was the narrow, contracted hole
that reduced his strength. he made sew
eral more efforts, but only moved it a
few inches, and was compelled to call
for aid. Two men succeeded in plac-
ing the rope about the oasket and
with hard pull it was brought to the
surface. An examination followed,
and upon the deceased being revealed
IL was found that the body had turned,
not as Scripture says: "Dust thou art
to dust returnest," but into solid rock.
From a gentleman who was present
and whose word can be relied
upon. it was learned that the
parents easily recognized the child.
The body had assumed dark-brown
color, the features slightly shrunken,
and he compared it with the appear
ance of mummy. The eyebrows
and hair were of lighter hue. while
the hands looked perfect. 1t was the
most singular sight he had ever wit
messed, and only the sensitive feelings
of the parents kept the matter from
the newspaper columns. The body
was again inferred. and now rests
peacefully in the family lot for aught
we know.
The strange transformation Of this
body is not the only Instance recorded
The few number of dead removed has
not afforded an opportunity to learn
how common an occurrence this may
be, but learned gentleman tell me that
when Gabriel blows his buglc, or the
disinterring of bodies becomes neces-
sarv in the Black Hrils country. many
bodies will be found turned to stone.
The other instance related is that Of
Wild Bill, murdered in Dcadwood by
Jack Call ten years ago. Bill was
buried on the mountain side. and the
building of residences compelled the
unearthing of his bones. What was
the surprise of his friends when they
discovered that the famous frontiers
man was solid stone-petrfied.
This revelation may appear strange to
Eastern readers. but here 1t is Az
omen secret